F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
1
Call us in the Morning, We’ll get you in Today – Guaranteed! THE SMILE YOU ALWAYS WANTED is possible with the personal care of Premier Dental
FREE EXAM & X-RAYS
LIMITED TO FIRST 20 NEW PATIENTS CALL FOR DETAILS S 180th St
Oak St
W Center Rd
OUR PRACTICE 18009 Oak Street, Suite A
DR. DANIEL J. BENINATO DR. AMY DIETRICH
Zorinsky Lake & Recreation Area
18009 Oak Street, Suite A • Omaha, NE 68130 2
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
402.718.8744 • www.premiersmile.com
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
Superheroes Aren’t Born,
They’re Made
&)(/ * 1(-*+ % '*(%% ,( 1 #' *- , , + ('%#' (* (' &)-+ )*(!* &+ (* % 0# % #''(. ,#. ' * % . ', / %% " %) 1(- , $ (' ," /(*%
www.peru.edu * +$ + #*+, (%% ! +, %#+" #' *- * +$ & * '+,#,-,#(' ( ," * +$ , , (%% ! 1+, & * #, 1 ," #!" * *'#'! (&&#++#(' & & * ( ," (*," ',* % ++( # ,#(' ( (%% ! + ' "((%+ F E B R UA R Y 2 012  
v  m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
3
F R O M T H E T E A M v yourmag
LOV E IS ... SH A RING THE JOURNE Y Dear Readers:
volume 3
Parents aren’t supposed to play favorites when it comes to their kids. Ditto for kids toward their parents. But it happens. My father and I had a special bond, and that clearly irritated my mother at times. Though she never admitted it, I sensed she was jealous. Just before my dad died in 2004, I vowed to take care of Mom. Under my breath I added, “Lord help me,” which roused a chuckle from Dad. He knew Mom would be a handful. A year later, Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The challenges and fears we faced together and the care that she would need from me over the next six years would bring us closer than I could have imagined. My mother’s disease helped me see the depth and power of unconditional love between a parent and a child.
v issue 2 v february 2012
Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2012 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.
momaha.com Scan this barcode with your smartphone and stay connected with us between issues. editorial director CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094
designer
I found a small tattered card in my mother’s wallet last month. It’s the kind of thing you carry when the sentiment means a lot. It said, “Love Is … Sharing the Journey.”
JULIA SMITH
This month, my thankful heart remembers a Mom who gave so much and expected so little in return.
PAT R I C I A “ M U R P H Y ” B E N O I T
copy editor AMY LaMAR
production coordinator cover story photos CHRIS CHRISTEN
Hugs to all of you who know exactly what I mean.
contributing writers LISA ANDRE WS v KIM CARPENTER v C H R I S T I N E D O S TA L v M Y R A K AT H E R I N E F R I T Z v J E S S I C A H U D S O N v T I N A K I N G v M A R Y LO U M AT U L K A v A M Y TO KO S
chris christen v THE MOMAHA TEAM
to advertise, contact JESSICA FREEDMAN jessica.freedman@owh.com 402-444-1416 MICHAEL A HANE Y michaela.haney@owh.com 402-444-1489 KRISTINE BUHMAN kristine.buhman@owh.com 402-444-1442
R
IDICULOUSLY
S
TYLISH CLOTHING FOR YOUR CUTIE PATOOTIES!
CHILDREN’S RESALE STORE
14119 119 Q Street
402.502.2370
HOURS: Monday - Friday 10am - 7pm 4
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
www.couturekidsomaha.com
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 12 - 5pm
NEWLY REMODELED FACILITY
Creative Kidz 10% Of f
✷ 6 WEEKS-12 YEARS CURRICULUM BASED ✷ CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED STAFF
Just 10 est w minutescoln of Lin at I-80 Exit 382
✷ BREAKFAST, LUNCH & SNACKS SERVED
rate for full time ning o ti en m this ad
✷ TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM 3 LOCAL SCHOOLS ✷ CALL FOR GREAT F/T & P/T RATES &
TO SCHEDULE A TOUR!
7105 S. 74th St., La Vista, NE (74th & Harrison)
402.934.9034
www.crea�vekidzlavista.com
R U A S O DIN SEUM MU
402.7 402.761.2130 2.761.2130 www.dinohaunt.com www.dinohaunt. unt.com
Where moms connect
$
1 OFF F E B R UA R Y 2 012
any admission with this ad
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
5
B E AU T I F U L YO U v yourlook
Resolutions falling by the wayside? SMART goals can help you get back on track. bailey shiffler v FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Early January is always filled with resolve, but by March that resolve has often turned to regret. Follow theser expert-driven 10 steps and you’re sure (or at least more likely) to shed those extra pounds, quit smoking or keep any other New Year’s resolution. 1. Set SMART goals: Susan Steinbrecher, president and CEO of Steinbrecher & Associates leadership development company, says the most critical component of a resolution is to set a goal that meets the SMART test. The goal must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timebound. 2. Envision the end result: Mike Armour, president of Dallasbased Strategic Leadership Development International, says the second critical step is to envision the end result. Elliot Connie, a licensed professional counselor, agreed that picturing an end result is crucial. “If your goal is to fight less with your spouse, you need to say to yourself, ‘I know my goal will be accomplished when x happens,” he says. This is especially important for the more abstract goals, like “being happier.” Defining what happiness will look like is an important step to achieving it. 3. Create a timeline for your resolution: Getting fit, organizing your home, spending more time with family, getting out of debt, taking more photos — most common New Year’s resolutions are lifelong goals with no expiration date. That’s why it’s important to set a timeline or mile markers to help you stay focused. “You have to take it one bite at a time,” Steinbrecher says. “Set up a milestone or checkpoint then celebrate and reevaluate when you get there.” 4. Define your motivation and surround yourself with it: No goal can be met without the proper motivation, and the tougher the task, the more motivation you’ll need. Take time to define why you want to lose that weight, take more photos or stay in closer contact with your family. Write down your reasons, and then give yourself regular reminders of them.
6
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
5. Get your tools ready: It’s easy to put off tasks when you don’t have the supplies ready. Sit down and write out all of the tools you will need to meet your goal. If you want to take more pictures, be sure you have a camera and photo organization software for your computer. If you have the motivation and the tools, it will be tougher to justify procrastination. 6. Block out time: “I don’t have enough time” serves as an excuse for putting off almost any goal, so cut off the scapegoat immediately, the experts say. Determine how much time you’ll need to devote to your goal each week and schedule it. Put it on your home and work calendar so you aren’t tempted to double book. 7. Know your weaknesses: Identifying your trip-up triggers is crucial to staying on task, Steinbrecher says. “You have to know what gets you off the wagon.” Does stress push you to smoke, or do you binge eat at lunch if you skip breakfast? Take a deep look at your behavior and identify what causes you to slip up. Then find ways to prevent goal-blockers. 8. Identify your strengths: Connie quoted a friend when he said that no human is perfect, but in the same tune, no human is perfectly imperfect. Chances are, there has been a stage in your life when you were achieving your current goal. Identify the bright spots, and examine the behavior that surrounded them. 9. Find a partner or support group: “Commit to your goal with a friend, or find a support group,” Steinbrecher says. “It will help you with accountability.” Going at a goal alone is tough work; finding a support system makes it a lot easier. If none of your friends or family shares your resolution, look for a support group in your area or find a helpful online community. 10. Get help from pros: When it comes to achieving resolutions, there are often professional options for help, whether it’s hiring a personal trainer, a professional organizer, a therapist, or enrolling in a sponsored diet program or using store-bought aids to help you quit smoking. Above: Bamjamz activewear is made from bamboo stretch fabric. Deluxe comfort. Tee, $70; pants, $98.
B A L A N C E D YO U v yourhealth
Spread the
Add more value to Valentine’s Day My husband and I never celebrate Valentine’s Day. When I tell people this, they seem mildly shocked, perplexed and a tad envious.
kim carpenter v CONTRIBUTOR
We’ve always considered Valentine’s Day to be a bit like amateurs’ night. If we express our affection throughout the year, why designate one day to demonstrate it with the requisite flowers, chocolates and cards? Yet I do love Valentine’s Day. There is something bright and cheery about all of those hearts during the long, cold and dark days of February. And I am always charmed by the silly giddiness kids demonstrate when making Valentine’s crafts. The holiday does seem to be tailor-made for girls, however. Pink and hearts and endless combinations of both. Need I say more? Often kids get so involved in the craft aspect, they forget what Valentine’s Day is all about. It’s a day when they can tell the people in their lives how they feel about them and why. To me, that’s the truly valuable part of the holiday. That’s why I try to have my daughter focus more on the message than the frills. Here are just a few of the ways we can do that – and remind ourselves how much we care about the people around us. Focus on the why: For me, this is the most important one
G E T O R G A N I Z E D v yourlife
Whether you love to cook or not, meal planning can be an everyday challenge. Often if we don’t have a plan for dinner, we end up spending money on dinner out or cooking less healthy convenience foods. If you want to make it easier on yourself and cook more often at home, here are a few ideas to simplify the planning process. >> Theme nights can help you narrow down your choices when planning. If you know every Tuesday is pasta night, Wednesday is sandwich night and Friday is pizza night, your planning is much easier. >> Use your freezer to its fullest potential.
and really the reason for the holiday. But while saying “I love you” is relatively easy for kids, articulating why is a little more challenging. Ask them what it is that they like about someone. Why do they love their baby brother or older sister? (Yes, there is a reason there somewhere.) What is it that makes their teacher special? One year my daughter (much to my embarrassment) wrote to her grandmother: “I love you because you make me cookies and let me watch TV at your house.” Hey, what are grandmothers for? Go beyond the usual suspects: Moms, dads, grandparents and teachers are the usual suspects as they should be, but what about other people who make a difference in our children’s lives? For example, my daughter once made cards for a waitress and the owner of our favorite restaurant. I’m not sure who was more delighted: the surprised recipients or my daughter after seeing their reactions. Whether it’s the librarian at story time or the postal clerk who always has a lollipop at the ready, have your child brighten his or her day with an unexpected Valentine. Show the love: Think about how your child can demonstrate their support for a cause or charity that’s important to them. If your son or daughter loves animals, suggest that they donate some of their allowance to the Humane Society. Or they can collect old towels, pick up some inexpensive pet toys or purchase food to donate. Have him or her make a card and deliver their donations in person. It’s a lovely way to show how much they care and to see what a difference they can make. v Kim Carpenter is a freelance writer living in Omaha. She is a frequent contributor to World-Herald publications, including Live Well Magazine. Contact her at kmncarpenter@gmail.com.
ME A L PL A NNING M A DE E ASY If you make something for dinner that freezes well, double or triple the recipe. Put each extra meal portion in a freezer bag for another day. I recently discovered how to prep CrockPot meals and freeze them. It’s pretty simple: Just toss all of your Crock-Pot ingredients into a freezer bag. When you are ready to cook, thaw the mixture for 30 minutes and then dump into the CrockPot. The best thing about this method: You always have something on hand to cook. Another helpful tool for meal planning is E-mealz. This service provides a meal plan and shopping list for $1.25 a week. I have been using the service for about nine months; it makes planning a no-brainer
amy tokos v CONTRIBUTOR
for me. You have many options to choose from with E-mealz, such as a specific store for your list; the types of foods you like to cook (low-carb, low-fat, vegetarian, etc.); and whether you would like a family meal plan or a plan for dinner for two. The key to meal planning is to always have something available in your kitchen to cook and to remain flexible. If you pick a sevenday plan with E-mealz, for example, then you may want to choose only four meals with ingredients. This would leave three days for the family’s favorites like spaghetti or an original creation. Planning can make dinnertime less stressful – and it can save you time and money, too.
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
7
G E T A C LU E v yourlife
ROBLOX: COMBINING CRE ATIVIT Y WITH MULTI-PL AYER GAMING Spend a little time in an elementary school cafeteria, and you will surely hear the word “Roblox.” Groups of 10-year-old boys discuss Roblox with the same zeal and sincerity that grownup boys do when talking about the Huskers.
tina king v CONTRIBUTOR
Roblox can be described as a virtual playground and workshop. It’s a site where kids can create their own online video games and then share and play them with the site’s entire community. For creative kids who love gaming, this is pretty heady stuff. Not only do kids plot out their games and virtual environments, but they also develop the game descriptions. They even have a chance to market them. When a game is particularly well-designed or popular, kids earn game dollars to spend on enhancements. Playing Roblox is free, but don’t be surprised if kids ask to become members of the for-a-fee Builder’s Club, which enables them to create multiple environments and further customize their worlds. The cost is $5.95 per month, although cheaper rates are available for longer commitments. Roblox gaming gift cards are also available at many big box stores. Some parents may have a problem with the
games’ content. Allowing boys to create their own video games can result in games containing violence. Although the block-style characters do not look realistic, many of them use guns and other weapons. Some games have a gentler nature with theme park or pet themes. Parents can monitor their child’s game settings, limiting players’ ability to type anything other than menu-selected comments. Parents can also limit their child’s forum chatting abilities. Although the forums are said to be moderated and to be kid-safe, you will find broken rules when it comes to some name-calling and appropriate topics. One recent thread included whether anyone had seen the latest R-rated Harold and Kumar movie. The site includes more info for parents at www.roblox.com/Parents.aspx. v Tina King is a freelance writer in Omaha. She is a regular contributor to Momaha Magazine.
Turn the page to a more active you.
If you have a desire to be healthy but might have a hard time staying on track — consider Fit Minded. Through reading and discussion, we’ll provide you with the skills and strategies that will empower you to be active and healthy, all on your own. As a member, you’ll also have access to a network of online support, including blogs, nutritional strategies, physical activity resources, and motivational ideas.
FIT MINDED BOOK CLUB Session 6 starts February 1, 2012 Weekly meetings Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Contact us at info@BeFitMinded.com or 402-554-3395 to participate. www.BeFitMinded.com 8
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
B U SY M O M ’S G U I D E v your family
Hamsters, gerbils & guinea pigs
The money, time & effort required to care for pocket pets tina king v CONTRIBUTOR
Faux rodents are everywhere it seems, conspiring to get into your home. There are Zhu Zhu Pets, Ratatouille DVDs and of course, the big Mickey himself. Animated rodents are one thing, but eventually they may beg the question of allowing the real deal into your life. This bullet can be especially tricky to dodge if you have held out on the much bigger time and financial needs that go along with the 15-plus year commitment to a cat or dog. “Ple-e-e-ease?” your child begs. “Ple-e-e-ease?” Before you believe your child’s oath of responsibility and add a whiskered fur ball to the house, here’s a need-to-know list: Where to get it: Although you’ll definitely be making a few runs to the pet supply store, you need not purchase your pocket pet there. The Nebraska Humane Society offers them for
Imagine....
adoption, and even includes profile photos on its website. Petfinder.com is also a good resource.
exercise wheel; chew toys or untreated wood; a flower pot bed; plastic or cardboard tubes; and absorbent bedding.
What makes it happy: Healthy food, gentle handling, treats and play are at the top of the list. Kids under age 6 may not be gentle enough to handle such fragile pets. It’s important to know your pet’s needs, as some are best kept alone while others thrive in pairs.
Food: A prepared mix supplemented with the appropriate fruits and veggies for your pet. Be aware of the fruits and veggies that may be harmful, including potatoes or kidney beans.
In other to keep them from thriving so much that they become parents, be sure to bring them home in same-sex pairs. Males will usually be fine kept together as long as they’ve been raised together. Guinea pigs require time out of their cages and enjoy cuddling. Minimum equipment: A well-ventilated plastic and wire cage that allows two feet per animal (less for mice, who will probably need a tank instead to prevent escapes); a water bottle; an
Cleanup: Daily “spot” cage cleaning plus a weekly cage scrubbing. Life span: Hamsters and mice live one to three years; rats live two to three years; gerbils live three to four years; and guinea pigs live five to seven years. First-year care: The cost ranges from $300 to $500. Sources: The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
1,200 lbs of athlete jumping over 5 feet in the air 13 times in 70 seconds of fast-paced excitement!
OMAHA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION Presents
TICKETS STARTING AT $10 NOW AVAILABLE
This Premier Indoor Show Jumping Event is Coming to Omaha
April 20th & 21st, 2012! FOR TICKETS go to www.ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000 or visit the CenturyLink Center box office. F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
9
mom & midwife v Courtney Allen Cowardin holds her 15-month-old son, Ethan. She is also mom to Lilly, 5 (not pictured).
10
F E B R U A R Y 2 012  
v  m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
story by tina king v photography by rebecca s. gratz
SA FE T Y FIRST
Homemade baby food recipes Courtney Allen Cowardin stopped keeping track after she helped deliver a baby for the 200th time, but that doesn’t mean that these experiences have lost the power to move her. “It’s a nice kind of honor to be there at that point in someone’s life,” she said. “It’s kind of humbling every time.” Courtney works as a certified nurse midwife for OneWorld Community Health Center in South Omaha. The clinic’s staff takes pride in meeting the underserved and underinsured’s obstetric, primary care, dental and vision needs. Between its clinics in Omaha and in Plattsmouth, it served more than 21,000 patients in 2010. Courtney was a nurse when she started working for OneWorld a decade ago. She went on to meet many obstetric patients, and continues to be inspired by the staff’s dedication to caring for women and honoring their cultural differences. She decided to go back to school to become a certified midwife. Her co-worker, fellow midwife Penni West, admires Courtney’s dedication. “She is very motivated because of her history as a nurse to really meet women where they are, and to give them care the way they need it to be given,” she said. Courtney really enjoys her job. “My favorite thing is the patients,” she said. “They are so grateful for the care they are getting.”
Courtney’s own understanding of this mothering bond came into sharper focus when she became stepmom to 5-year-old Lilly. She later gave birth to Ethan, who is now 15 months old. She describes herself as an “older mom” at age 37. “I set out knowing he would be my one (birth) child,” she said. “I wanted to do things right.” Becoming a mom has affected Courtney’s life in big ways, including scaling back her on-call hours and working during the evenings so she can spend more time with her son during the day. She recently moved to a new home, which was based in large part on the good reputation of Omaha’s District 66 schools, she said. “She has just really blossomed as a person,” said West of her friend and co-worker’s changes since becoming a mother. “She has always been very career- oriented and she still is – but now there is such a whole other facet to her personality. She loves her son, and it has just made her a deeper kind of person.” Motherhood offers a new lens through which to view life. “Being a mom has made everything different,” Courtney said.
Hearing about baby food recalls made Courtney think hard about what she could do to make sure her child’s food is safe. She did her research, and initially started out simply pureeing Ethan’s first solid foods: organic sweet potatoes, peas and green beans. She froze portions of these foods in small cubes. Later, she began adding spices – sometimes cinnamon, sometimes cumin – to the food for variety. Now Ethan is eating many of the foods served at the family dinner table, but usually without the added salt or sugar. Here are a few of Courtney’s favorite recipes for babies older than 9 months whose pediatricians have approved starting solid foods. Always test fruits and vegetables new to a baby as a single ingredient first so you are aware of any food allergies. Orange “pudding” v large sweet potato v butternut squash
Peel potato and squash and cut into cubes. Place ingredients in a pan and cover with just enough water to barely cover; bring to a boil. Boil for about 15 minutes or until soft. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend to desired consistency. *When baby is old enough, try adding ¼ teaspoon cinnamon or ¼ teaspoon curry blend. Green machine v 2 cups fresh green beans v 2 cups peas
Place all ingredients in a pan and cover with just enough water to barely cover; bring to a boil. Boil for about 15 minutes or until soft. Place ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend to desired consistency. Sweet treat v 1 large apple v 1 ripe banana v ½ cup fresh blueberries (after 6 months of age)
Peel apple and cut into cubes. Boil for about 5 minutes. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend to desired consistency. F E B R U A R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect 11
T H E D I L E M M A v yourlife
M AIN TAINING CO MPOSUR E The Dilemma: I work full-time and I like my job, but lately my work team has been put on the spot for performance issues. While my boss is speaking to my entire team in our meetings and not directly to me, I take it personally. I feel like I do my part. I find myself fighting to hold back tears in these meetings and have on occasion cried at work. I know it’s unprofessional, but I need suggestions on how to maintain my composure. lisa andrews v CONTRIBUTOR
Jessica Hudson
Christine Dostal
Mary Lou Matulka
Jessica has her own full-time daycare
Christine works part-time as a Certified
Mary Lou spent more than 25 years
business at home. The twentysomething mom is married with two young children.
Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She has long days working in a surgery
working in corporate America. Now in her early 50s with one grown son, she
She comes from a large family, and says
department, as well as a complex set of
works full-time as a private nanny to three
children are in her “blood.” Jessica enjoys
responsibilities. Christine is in her early
children. Mary Lou spends her free time
shopping and reading, and is credited with being mature beyond her years.
30s. She is a mom to two boys, and she is expecting her third child in May.
volunteering for everything under the sun and playing Bunco with her girlfriends.
I’ve recently talked to someone who is dealing with the same problem. My advice is to continue to do the best job you can and let it slide off your back. If you have your family, health and love you are blessed indeed! If it continues to nag at you though, you might want to pull your boss aside and ask him/her if there is anything you can specifically do to help with your performance at work. As with all stressful things, this too shall pass.
I have been tempted to cry at work several times. It is always difficult to not take criticism personally. I suppose I just think about being a strong woman. I don’t want any man I work with to see me cry. My grandma is a very strong and independent woman, and I always think about what she would say if she knew I cried at work. She has always been a strong role model for me, and is someone I think about when I know I need to toughen up.
If you feel you are doing the best job you can it should be easy to maintain your composure. If not, then I would maintain my composure during the actual meeting and then approach the manager and find out if your work is questionable and why. Then approach the rest of the team and try to work together to make the team better. You can sort of be a “cheerleader” by taking the lead with the team. This will show your superiors that you are making an effort.
Keep them smiling! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child for a dental visit once every six months. and teach teach your your child child Prevent problems with their teeth and gums before they start and early that it’s important to Watch Your Mouth.
dhhs.ne.gov/healthysmiles 12
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
PHA-OTH-74 (99771)
12
A Family Festival of Fun and Learning Presented By
SATURDAY Feb 18: 10 - 5
SUNDAY
Feb 19: 10 - 5 Mid-America Center
www.KidzExplore.com F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect 13
Expl
or e
m es Ga
Th e 2 01
2
Kidz
Opening p g Ceremonies
BECOME A CHAMPION!
Create Create Crea te yyour ourr flflag ou ag aand nd ccarry arry ar ry tthe he ttorch orch or ch to victory through the finish line!
Training Camp Fu andd Fi Fun Fitness! s! Ha Have ffun un getti getting ting stronger and faster! Train and compete with kid-friendly games!
Closing g Ceremonies
Win your gold medal and stand proudly on the athlete’s podium!
KidzExplore.com 14
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
Presented Byy
HELP THE RUNNER GET TO THE FINISH LINE!
FINISH!
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect 15
Presented Byy
Don t miss the Gold M Medal Event p plus: plus
• Bounce Houses • GREAT Entertainment • Food Sampling • Costumed Characters • Face Painting
AND AN AND ND LO LOT LOTS OTS MORE!
ONLY AT PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE AND SAVE $2 $1 OFF TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT NO FRILLS
ADMISSION PRICE: ADULTS A DULTS $7.00 • CHILDREN 3 - 12 $5.00 CHILDREN 2 AND UNDER ARE FREE
KidzExplore.com 16
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
H AV E A L AU G H  v  your family
CONNECTING THE DOTS about items you might need for a party. The conversation quickly turned to guest lists, grocery lists, menus and itineraries. We have a long way to go when it comes to 12 + 7, but we pretty much mastered this reading connection exercise. Before I knew it, we were planning a party.
myra katherine fritz v CONTRIBUTOR
Reading exercise is as good an excuse as any to celebrate friends. The latest buzzword in literacy education is “word connection.� OK, that’s two words. Anyway, children are being taught to associate personal connections with the text they are reading. You can connect to another book, another author or something you’ve experienced. Well, this is a story of a connection gone wild. My son, Coulter, was home from school with a fever. We passed the time reading
Not a birthday party, just a party. Basically, an excuse to invite lots of friends over and eat cupcakes. A glorified play date. And because it wasn’t a birthday party, I ignored my ageequals-the-number-of-guests rule and let Coulter invite whomever he wished. And he wished for quite a few. To sum it up, we had a lot of children eating cupcakes and not opening presents. Much like John Grisham’s book, “Skipping Christmas,� we skipped Coulter’s last birthday. We had just moved to our Nebraska community. While I built it up as the best birthday ever, complete with a trip to the Omaha zoo followed with swimming at the local Holiday Inn Express, (Who doesn’t love a good swim at the Holiday Inn?), Coulter was on to me. “Mom,� he said. “I know why we aren’t
having a party.� “Why?� I hesitantly replied. “It’s because I don’t have any friends.� And he was right. But now he does have friends and we were having a party. The children came straight from school where they had been sitting still for a l-on-g time. Before I could hang up my coat, the boys were wrestling; the girls were screaming and doing gymnastics; and I was realizing that our home wasn’t going to be big enough for the next two hours. I envisioned broken china (What? You put away your china when 6-year-olds come to play?), broken lamps and broken bones. But none of that came to pass. Our house was big enough, and not only did I survive the party, I enjoyed it. We threw snowballs and did an easy craft project. We ate cupcakes. We had fun. And I realized that we don’t have to wait for birthdays to celebrate our families; to cherish our friends. We can, on the spur of the moment, bring out the good china. Party on, my friends!
v Myra Katherine Fritz is married with two children. She lives in Fremont where she is a stay-at-home mom.
Introducing your child, the swimmer.
Explor
e!
Antarctica!
Explor
e!
BIOLOGY!
Plants!
ELECTRICITY!
June 4 - August 10
Rocks! Machines!
Art! Theater! Percussion! Photography!
e!
lor p x E
Mathemagic! Robotics!
aimforthestars.unomaha.edu F E B R UA R Y 2 012  
v  m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect 17
18
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect
Save 50-90% off regular prices! Save money on the coolest places in town. We'll e-mail you one exclusive offer every day. Are you in? n Buy. Every day we’ll announce a new Daily Deal — in the Omaha World-Herald and online — that is 50-90% off of regular prices at restaurants, spas, events and other local goodies.
n Share. When you find an offer you like, share it with your friends using our Facebook, Twitter or e-mail links.
n Print. Deal vouchers are available to print within 24 hours after the deal closes.
n Repeat. Don’t miss out! Visit www.DailyDealOmaha.com today and sign up to receive an e-mail every time we post a new deal.
Connect with Daily Deal Omaha today! facebook.com/DailyDealOmaha twitter.com/DailyDealOmaha www.DailyDealOmaha.com F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect 19
Heroics inspired by the heart of a hero.
I
saac entered this world with a complex heart defect, resulting in only one functioning ventricle, the second chamber all but missing.
scarred and damaged tissue was repaired, and a patch positioned in his heart, ��������� ����� ��� �� ���� ��� ������ developed ventricle.
In a revolutionary, new open-heart surgery pioneered by cardiac specialists at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center,
Two years later, Isaac is ready to face all foes, a caped crusader with the heart of a hero.
Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.
20
F E B R UA R Y 2 012
v m o m a h a . c o m v where moms connect